more invented controversy

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080715/ap_on_el_pr/obama_blacks

I'm not quite sure what Obama is saying that is so offensive or unnecessary. There are legitimate points that issues such as unemployment (as the recent study I pointed out on career earnings suggests) or crime/jails disproportionately effect blacks and that the reasons for this are at least obliquely related to racism and bigotry. I have however seen little evidence that these things are not uncreditable at all to the present nature of the blacks effected (in general, certainly there are individual cases which merit great concern). For example, the case of New Orleans post-Katrina where there was considerable concern over the lack of government response and accountability. This was a legitimate concern...but I have seen very little accompanying concern as it regards other natural calamities. It is not the government's first responsibility to take care of its citizens. Helping them in times of crisis and need is acceptable. There again, government should not be seen as the first paw to turn to. Where there is an ounce of self-respect and self-reliance, it must be drawn out. There often is not in the targets of Obama's message. Maybe that's offensive, but it does contain at least a granule of truth.

There are reasonable and well-considered arguments on the subject of race and racism. I have seen and acknowledged that there appear to be cultural gaps which provide still further intellectual, educational, occupational, or motivational problems and which cause difficulties in law enforcement and the general social welfare. Obama appears capable of noting these as well and because of his mixed status, at least is given a pass to open these necessary dialogs with his speeches. I think that is a healthy thing. The sooner there is a common ground on which to debate the actual issues which still cut at the roots, the sooner we may find some progress that all sides can find measurable.